[woodwardenglish]

What’s the biggest number you know in your language? Do you have a word that isn’t an actual number but means a really really big number? Learn some fun facts and figures about big numbers and also advice on how to pronounce and write them. Read more HERE

[Marko Roth]

Table Mountain, one of the iconic landmarks of South Africa, is one of the oldest mountains in the world – and has more than 2,200 species of plants, 70 percent of which are endemic.

A South African fish migration is so huge it can be seen from space. Between May and July every year millions of small silver fish travel in vast shoals from the cold waters off South Africa’s Cape Point up to the coastlines of the northern Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal. This annual event is called the Sardine Run. The shoals are so big – 15km long, 3.5km wide and up to 40m deep – they can be seen by satellite. In their wake come hundreds of birds, sharks, whales, dolphins, all eager to feast.

South Africa has hosted the football (2010), cricket (2003) and rugby (1995) world cups – it is the only country in the world other than England to have done so.

South Africa hosts the world’s largest bicycle race. The 35,000 riders taking part in the109-km Cape Town Cycle Tour race across Cape Town’s south peninsula and along the spectacular, mountainous coastal road called Chapman’s Peak Drive.

South Africa is the largest producer of platinum in the world. In 2014 it produced 110,000kg, more than four times the amount of the next biggest producer, Russia.

South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation. Of South Africa’s almost 55 million population (Stats SA July 2015 estimate), around 80 percent is African, about 9 percent is white and just under 9 percent is mixed race.

South Africa was once the world’s number one producer of gold – although 2014 reports ranked South Africa sixth in the world, producing around 6 percent (164.5 tonnes) of the world’s precious metal from its 35 mines.

South Africa is full of record-breaking animals. It’s where you’ll find the largest land mammal (elephant), the largest bird (ostrich), the tallest animal (giraffe), the largest fish (whale shark), the largest reptile (leatherback turtle), the fastest land mammal (cheetah) and the largest antelope (eland).

“We all know that being happy at home doesn’t just come down to filling your space with objects you love. You can find new satisfaction in your space by adding a few simple practices to your routine, and before you know it, these habits will refresh your life both inside and outside your walls.
From starting your day off on the right foot, to carving out “me time,” to taking care of chores in the moment—it’s the little things in life that go a long way. The best part is that they are so easy to do you can start incorporating them tomorrow !
Check out the inspiring little video presentation and resolve to embrace happiness in your own home”. Illustrations by Danie Drankwalter.